Posts Tagged ‘Albin Polasek’

The best way to start any day in Central Florida is to wake up in your comfortable guest room at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast in Maitland, Florida, celebrating 20 years of innkeeping. Get dressed, grab a cup of coffee in the dining room and head to a rocker on the wraparound porch. The birds will entertain you while the sun comes up over Lake Eulalia. Enjoy your fabulous full breakfast, then head out to explore.

Take the short drive to Park Avenue in Winter Park. A good start would be to go the Scenic Boat Tour, and get on one of the early hourly tours. They start at 10am, and go into 3 different lakes and along old canals. Enjoy views that you can’t see from the streets, including gorgeous old mansions and gardens. The tour guides are well versed in Winter Park history and can answer any questions you may think of. From the boat tour, drive the short distance to the Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Tour the home, the grounds and enjoy all the fine sculpture made by Albin Polasek.

Next park your car in one of the several parking garages along Park Avenue and prepare to stroll. Often called “Little Europe”, the avenue is home to many shops, sidewalk cafes, and world class restaurants. Once you have your fill of strolling, the Morse Museum of American Art is a must see. The museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including art glass, leaded glass windows, lamps and the interior of an 1893 chapel. There is also jewelry, furniture, paintings, and extensive historical information about the Tiffany family.

Throughout your day’s activities, you can enjoy food from many different options up and down the avenue. Everything from French bakeries, to fine dining restaurants, sandwich and smoothie shops and wine bars can be found there.